under consideration is the first step to obtain it. In theory your correct, but we won't know until sep 11th when the first us passport holders go back to convert the under consideration to a real visa.
Also make sure to hand your cash very deliberately. I put mine on top of the stack of papers and it went missing. They had to recount all the money on the receipts for the day to figure out that they did in fact have 2k baht on hand more than they should
turns out you absolutely do need one.... I'm here now. I managed to charm my way around it using a booking already in their system from this morning. Apparently having all the info on their computers from the web appointment thing is vital.